In this second extract from his new book Everything You Always Wanted To Know About Acting, theatre impresario and Twitter phenomenon West End Producer lifts the lid on the thing that can make or break any actor's career: the first-night present. Many people in the industry get their priorities all wrong. As soon as they get offered a … Continue reading West End Producer: ‘The secret to first-night presents’
Theatre Books
West End Producer: ‘Auditioning from my side of the table’
With his striking good looks, sharp wit and genuine love of the industry, theatrical impresario and anonymous Twitter phenomenon West End Producer has taken the theatre world by storm, amassing a devoted following. As his book Everything You Always Wanted To Know About Acting is published, here's an extract to whet your appetite, dears. The … Continue reading West End Producer: ‘Auditioning from my side of the table’
Giles Block: ‘I see a voice’ – the clues in Shakespeare’s words
In his role as 'Master of the Words' at Shakespeare's Globe, it is Giles Block's job to help both actors and audiences fully understand and enjoy Shakespeare's words. As his new book Speaking the Speech is published, Giles reflects on how he came to work with the language, and how 'trusting the detail' can enable … Continue reading Giles Block: ‘I see a voice’ – the clues in Shakespeare’s words
Thomasina Unsworth: ‘peeling off the labels’ – why I wrote Becoming an Actor
Thomasina Unsworth teaches at Rose Bruford College, one of the UK's leading drama schools. In this blog piece, she explains her frustrations at the labelling of students, and how that inspired her to write her enlightening new book. My youngest daughter came home from school the other day in a miserable state. During swimming lessons … Continue reading Thomasina Unsworth: ‘peeling off the labels’ – why I wrote Becoming an Actor
‘You’ve Got To Be Carefully Taught’: Engineering the Future of British Musicals
With homegrown musicals such as Matilda and London Road wowing audiences and critics alike, some are saying it's a golden age for British musicals. But any creative industry needs to invest in training for the future, and Britain lags well behind the United States in opportunities for budding writers of musicals to learn their craft. … Continue reading ‘You’ve Got To Be Carefully Taught’: Engineering the Future of British Musicals
Overcoming artistic ‘burnout’ by Russ Hope
Forging a career in theatre directing is no mean feat, and for every director who reaches the peaks of success, there are many burnt-out casualties littered along the roadside. In an aim to avoid his own creative burnout, Russ Hope shadowed eight of the UK’s most exciting young theatre directors, with unprecedented access to that … Continue reading Overcoming artistic ‘burnout’ by Russ Hope
Birth of the ‘Rules’ by Andy Nyman
Andy Nyman's The Golden Rules of Acting offers real-world advice on how to be an actor - written by a working actor with over 25 years’ experience. In irresistible pocket-sized paperback, packed with short, punchy bulletpoints and illustrated in colour throughout - it certainly gets the message across in a totally memorable way. In the … Continue reading Birth of the ‘Rules’ by Andy Nyman
The ‘X Factor’ Actor
John Abbott has enjoyed a varied career in theatre - as an actor, director, educator (namely, Head of Acting at ArtsEd) and author. He has written three books for NHB on theatre, and his latest - The Acting Book - is published this month. John identifies charisma as one of the most important attributes for … Continue reading The ‘X Factor’ Actor
‘So tyrannous and rough in proof!’: Shakespeare and typos. By Nick de Somogyi.
Why didn't Shakespeare concern himself with the many inaccuracies in the printed editions of his works? Nick de Somogyi, editor of the Shakespeare Folios Series, hunts for clues and looks at the lasting consequences, as his new book Shakespeare on Theatre, a unique collection of Shakespeare's every reflection on the theatre, is published. In the … Continue reading ‘So tyrannous and rough in proof!’: Shakespeare and typos. By Nick de Somogyi.
Michael Pennington on his new book, SWEET WILLIAM: Twenty Thousand Hours with Shakespeare
Renowned actor and author Michael Pennington introduces his new book on Shakespeare, Sweet William, based on his solo show of the same name. Read on, and you'll find an exclusive extract from the book, that may whet your appetite for more... This morning the snow is six inches deep and as I live at the … Continue reading Michael Pennington on his new book, SWEET WILLIAM: Twenty Thousand Hours with Shakespeare
The Prompt Book 